Ann Demeulemeester Fall 2011 Natives

How often do Belgians go Native?  As in Native American?  While the Fall 2011 shows in New York showed collection after collection of Americana with tribal influences.  Avant-garde designer Ann Demeulemeester put a dark twist on what was going on overseas.  The jet black feathered hairpieces were a shadow version of the ones seen at the Byron Lars show.  The corset styling gave a Gothic fetish edge. Leather and tinted fur gave some wild luxury.  A few dresses had ruffled details for a softer feminine edge.  As usual, black was the dominant color of the collection.  

Photos courtesy of Imaxtree

Art Donovan - The Art of Steampunk

Are you looking to redecorate?  How about something classic and futuristic at the same time?  I visited the Architectural Digest Home Decor show in NYC and found some beautiful objects for the boudoir.

Art Donovan is a Steampunk artist and new author.  He debuted his upcoming book at a signing and was featured in last year's landmark exhibit in England.  His work involves elegant creations that look like the heirlooms of .  His background is in lighting design which he then works into metal and wood.

His book is currently available for pre-order, The Art of Steampunk: Extraordinary Devices and Ingenious Contraptions.  

Karl Lagerfeld Sketches Coco Chanel for Book

Is there a bigger fan of Gabrielle Chanel than Karl Lagerfeld?  The atelier has millions of fans around the world.  Coco Chanel's story has been played out as a pop history fairy-tale in movies and books many times over.

British journalist Justine Picardie wrote a new biography of the designer that Mr. Lagerfeld liked so much that he contributed several illustrations for the new French edition.  The new tome will be feted at a cocktail bash/signing in the Galignani bookstore (Karl's fave) on the evening of March 24th.

Red Riding Hood and Other Costumes

How can you not love a lusty fairy tale where the title character is clothing?  This romantic/sexy rendition of the childhood story is hitting the theaters making a play to take "hot werewolf" away from Team Jacob.

So far, the reviews have been less than kind.  Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke may not have the next Academy Award on her hands, but she at least delivers some serious style.

  

Costume designer Cindy Evans researched many styles and fabrics to create the iconic cloak worn by Amanda Seyfried.  I'm not sure if you can see all the work that was put into it, but the designer decided on a heavy raw silk as the base fabric, then had it silk-screened with a swirled border.  The swirled pattern was then hand-embroidered in six different shades of red for dimension and depth.

Other costumes included corset-laced Medieval dresses accented with pops of color.  Accessories included removable leather sleeves or large knit crochet shawls.

Gary Oldman's armor was intricately detailed and antiqued.  Chain mail accented his arms from the metal suit.

Images courtesy of Warner Brothers

Zombie Boy, Lady Gaga Haunt Mugler Fall 2011

Lady Gaga’s longtime fashion collaborator Nicholas Formichetti was appointed creative director to the Mugler brand and brought it back to the catwalk at Paris Fashion Week.

The show was a mix of Gothic fetish evolved from the slick spirit of classic Mugler.  The backdrop was a stage of pointed cathedral arches.  Formichetti showed alien-like exaggerated shoulders, a signature look of Lady Gaga’s.  Latex-shiny fabrics, dramatic cut-outs and transparent garments that left nothing to the imagination somehow managed to look chic (over trashy).  The muse, Gaga, brought much of the paparazzi with her as she debuted new singles and strutted her body down the runway.  Also haunting the runway was performance artist “Zombie Boy”, famous for corpse-like tattoos added to the other-worldly theme…

  

F.I.T.'s Tokyo Fashion Festa

 Earlier this month, amid the chaos that was NY Fashion Week, the Museum at FIT hosted the Lolitas, Cosplay and fantasy hair and makeup at the Tokyo Fashion Festa.

A fashion show was presented featuring manga, cosplay and Gothic fashion.  There were makeup and hair demonstrations to complete the fashion looks.  Following the style portion, there was a tea party reception for all the participants and fans. This festival was an extension to the current museum exhibit, Japan Fashion Now that has been extended until April 8, 2011.
Hair & Makeup photos by Lawrence Brenner.  Cosplay Photos by Philip Ng.